Grant To Pay For SROs In City Schools

Baltimore City Schools will get 10 officers thanks to a Department of Justice federal grant program called Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

Baltimore City will get $1.25 million for funding. Bladensburg, Hagerstown and Seat Pleasant will also receive similar funds.

"In the wake of past tragedies, it's clear that we need to be willing to take all possible steps to ensure that our kids are safe when they go to school," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "These critical investments represent the Justice Department's latest effort to strengthen key law enforcement capabilities, and to provide communities with the resources they need to protect our young people. Especially in a time of increased challenges and limited budgets, our top priority must always be the safety and well-being of our children."

"Keeping our children safe from violent crime, drugs and gangs is of critical importance," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein in a statement. "These grants will help provide communities with the resources to improve school safety."

The Justice Department announced the funding Friday. The $45 million dollar grant will put 356 new school resource officers in schools across the country.